Ex-Penn State basketball big man makes transfer portal decision

Three months after announcing his departure from the Penn State basketball program, ex-Nittany Lions big man Favour Aire has found a landing spot out of the transfer portal.

On Saturday, the former Penn State forward announced his commitment to Bryant University in Rhode Island via social media. The Bulldogs went 20-13 and finished second in the American East conference last season.

🚨 Breaking: Favour Aire – 6’11 transfer from Penn State has committed to @BryantHoops.

Previously played for Miami and was a Top 75 prospect out of HS and former 1st Team All MET in the DMV. pic.twitter.com/F5ShKTmYX4

— Rhody Vault (@RhodyVault) June 29, 2024

Favour Aire entered the transfer portal for the second time on March 18 after one season with Penn State basketball. He only appeared in 12 games during his sophomore season in Happy Valley, finishing the year with seven points, 12 rebounds, six blocks, and four steals.

Aire’s college career began at Miami, where he had nine points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals during the Hurricanes’ run to the Final Four in the 2022-23 season.

Originally from Ekpoma, Nigeria, Aire was a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and the 247Sports Composite coming out of Bishop McNamara in Maryland. A top 25 center in the 2022 class, On3 and 247Sports ranked Aire as a top 75 big man in his second stint in the transfer portal.

Dust settles on Penn State basketball transfer portal movement

With Saturday’s announcement from Favour Aire, all five outgoing members of the Penn State basketball program have now made commitments out of the transfer portal:

• Kanye Clary (dismissed from program on February 19; entered transfer portal on March 18) – committed to Mississippi State on March 29.
• Bragi Guðmundsson (March 18) – committed to Campbell on April 17.
• Demetrius Lilley (March 20) – committed to La Salle on April 10.
• Jameel Brown (March 22) – committed to Temple on April 26.

Mike Rhoades replenished the roster with talent from the transfer portal this spring, led by former top-50 recruit and ex-Tennessee Volunteer guard Freddie Dilione. 

Finishing with the No. 48-ranked portal class, according to 247Sports, the Nittany Lions also added big men Kachi Nzeh (Xavier) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Northern Illinois), as well as guard Eli Rice (Nebraska).

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